Kansas State University

Celebrate Thanksgiving safely in 2020

Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing

As students, faculty and staff prepare for fall break and Thanksgiving, Kansas State University is encouraging the use of some simple safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the holiday.

Low-risk options
According to the CDC, the best way to celebrate Thanksgiving with the lowest risk of transmitting or contracting COVID-19 is to have a small dinner with people who live in your household. Other low-risk options for celebrating with others include having a virtual dinner with friends and family or preparing recipes and safely delivering them to others without coming into close contact. It is recommended to plan to shop online rather than in person for sales after Thanksgiving Day and to watch sporting events, parades and movies from home.

Travel
Traveling increases the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. If you must travel, it is important to consider the following factors associated with travel or celebrating with others who live outside of your household.

• The community levels of COVID-19.
• The location and duration of the gathering.
• The number of people attending the gathering.
• The locations attendees are traveling from.
• The behaviors of attendees before and during the gathering.

Learn more about how to travel safely.  

If you decide to host a gathering:

• Remind guests to stay home if they are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
• Keep a list of guests who attend for potential future contact tracing needs.
• Encourage physical distancing and wearing face coverings.
• Host your gatherings outdoors when possible. If this is not feasible, make sure the room or space is well ventilated. (For example, open a window.)

If you attend an event or gathering:

• Stay home if you are sick, if you are waiting on results of a COVID-19 test or if you may have been exposed to COVID-19.
• Prioritize attending outdoor activities over indoor ones and stay within your local area as much as possible.
• Bring a face covering and hand sanitizer.

Read more tips to reduce your COVID-19 risk while having a social life.

It is important to remember that someone who is sick with COVID-19 can spread it for two days, or 48 hours, before they show any symptoms. Also, not everyone with COVID-19 will have symptoms, but they may still spread it to others. Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, has shown symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19 should stay home and avoid in-person Thanksgiving activities.

Find more CDC tips to reduce risk and stop the spread of COVID-19 and learn more about health and wellness at K-State.